Lin western Sicily it is a kaleidoscope of colors, of landscapes that constantly change and recompose themselves as they cross each other its municipalities. A journey between Selinunte, Mazara del Vallo, Marsala, Agrigentooffers intense experiences, lived in places still little known and in itselfvery long and solitary beaches, such as that of the Natural Reserve of the Foce del Fiume Platani, which stretches between Borgo Bonsignore and the imposing limestone cliff of Capo Bianco, overlooking the seaat the top of which there is theacropolis of Eraclea Minoa, with its Greek theater.
Sicily, as in a painting by Giorgio de Chirico
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Selinunte, once of the ancient Greek city. Here it is the largest archaeological park in Europe. The ruins of the city are located on the territory of the municipality of Castelvetrano, in the southern part of the province of Trapani. (Getty Images)
In Borgo Bonsignoreinaugurated in 1940 by the Authority for the colonization of the Sicilian large estates, it seems like walking in a De Chirico painting: rationalist buildings arranged around a single square square, partially closed by arcades and dominated by the littorio tower, on which there are also the church, the school, the offices of the reclamation body and the podestà, the restaurant, the post office. Not far away, in the municipality of Siculiana (Agrigento), near the Torre Salsa Nature Reserveon 7 July the new Adler Spa Resort Sicily will open, with a private eco-beach equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas 300 meters from the hotel.
The beach near the new Adler Spa Resort Sicily, Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, in Siculiana © AlexFilz
In the presence of the temples of Agrigento
The whole day at sea is reconciled with a visit to the superstar of the area: the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (parcovalledeitempli.it). It is exciting to be in the presence of the Temple of Concordia in the vivid light of the morning or when, at sunset, the Doric columns are lit by the rays of the setting sun.
Discovering the multiethnic treasures of Mazara del Vallo
The journey continues towards Mazara del Vallowhere the new Almar Giardino di Costanza resort opened in May. Do not miss a tour of the labyrinthine Casbah and the small Museum of the Dancing Satyr, to walk around the precious bronze statue, datable to the end of the 4th century BC Tourists appreciate the colorful handmade ceramic pots that decorate the streets and squares of the town.
The church of S. Calcedonio, Kasbah Mazara del Vallo, Sicily. (Getty Images)
The island of Mozia and its “youth”, pure poetry
Other appointments to put on the agenda: the sunset at the Salt pans of Marsala, the Punic ship preserved in the Lilibeo Regional Archaeological Museum, the poetic Island of Mozia and its famous “Young man in tunic” (marble statue of the Greek school dated around the first half of the 5th century BC), the archaeological site of Selinunte (the largest in Europe).
San Pantaleo island. Motya. museum. nature reserve. Stagnone of Marsala. Sicily. Italy. Europe. (Photo by: Giovanni Tagini / REDA & CO / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Gibellina, open air museum signed by the masters of the ‘900
To conquer travelers is also the Belice Valleywhich still shows the scars of the disastrous 1968 earthquake. The Cretto by Alberto Burri, a beautiful and moving concrete shrine, covers the houses of old Gibellina, crumbled by the earthquake and bulldozers. The rebirth in the Belice Valley came thanks to the industriousness of those who did not abandon these lands and the far-sightedness of men such as Senator Ludovico Corrao (former mayor of Gibellina and founder of the Orestiadi festival), whose art collection is on display in the Museum of Mediterranean Plots which from Gibellina projects towards the entire basin of the Mare Nostrum. The Baglio Di Stefano, which houses the museum, is flanked by the Salt mountain (1990) by Mimmo Paladino, whose black horses emerge from the white mountain and stand out against the blue sky and the green hills-vineyards. Along the road that leads to the Museum of Mediterranean Plots you will find theTenute Orestiadi winery (tenuteorestiadi.it) and its Barriques Museumpermanent contemporary art museum.
The Baroque show goes on stage
It would be a shame to leave Sicily without grinding a few kilometers to move to the extreme south of the island and be able raise the curtain on the spectacle of its baroque jewels: Scicli, Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Noto. A riot of churches, squares, noble palaces, spectacular stairways, sumptuous balconies decorated with mermaids, griffins, fantastic animalsmonsters like those of Beneventano Palacethe masterpiece of Sciclithat is the town-film set of the imaginary Vigàta, the perfect background for the investigations of Inspector Montalbano. Corners to be discovered even under the stars, in the fragrant Sicilian nights, with the smell of salt still on the skin.
Where to sleep in Sicily
Adler Spa Resort Sicily
Contrada Salsa, Siculiana (Agrigento).
Sustainable architecture in gardens near the sea, near the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve. From 620 euros per night (mid season) with buffet breakfast and a la carte gourmet dinner. The price varies according to the season and the number of nights booked. adler-resorts.com/it/adler-spa-resort-Sicily
Almar Garden of Costanza
Mazara del Vallo.
5-star resort, among olive groves and vineyards. From 18 June double for two people starting from 400 euros per day, with breakfast. For a stay of at least 5 nights, up to 15 percent reduction on the best rate. almargiardinodicostanza.com
Voi Marsa Siclà Resort
Sampieri (Ragusa).
Resort on 6 hectares. The equipped beach, dominated by the Penna furnace (the “Mannara” of Inspector Montalbano) can be reached by walking through a green area or by shuttle service. In June 7 nights for two people, from 2,800 euros with half board, drinks, return flight to Catania from Bergamo, Verona, Milan MXP, Pisa, Rome, Turin and Bologna. Voihotels.com/it/voi-marsa-sicla-resort
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